Customer Reviews

Stray Affections (Center Point Christian Fiction (Large Print))

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness. Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice," Charlene starts her book out quoting Psalm 51:6-8 and begins to bring some of that scripture to life inside the pages of this book.

This story is nestled in the middle of a quaint town where you discover friends and their families you'll just adore. I loved how Carlene shows the funny, honest and serious side of family relationships and how they can work together. I believe it's only by the grace of God that we can bloom and grow where we are planted. It takes courage to face your fears and let God have his way in your life, and in the lives of the people you are in relationship with.

The main character Cassandra heads out to a Collectors' Convention alone. Her best friend Margaret cancels at the last minute. Her husband Ken encourages her to go anyway. He's got the kids, she needs take a break from lifes routine; go out and have fun. Little did she know how that little trip would change her life? Are we ever ready for when God intercedes on our behalf to put us on the path He would have us be on? Letting go and letting God be in control is not something any of us feel comfortable doing. Cassandra soon learns this on her trip.

Will Ken and Cassandra trust God to work all things out for His glory and their good? You'll want to read this story and join in the mystery and fun as the author weaves a tale of healing, unconditional love, and second chances. You'll want to read Charlene Ann Baumbich's Dearest Dorothy series, with quirky, close-knot Midwestern small-town feel characters you'll grow fond of just like the ones in this book. Thanks to publisher for a review copy of this book.

Finding Hope Through Fiction

I am a big fan of the "Dearest Dorothy" series and have read all of them. When I found out Ms. Baumbich was writing a new book (series?) I was quite relieved since apparently the publishing house decided to end the "Dearest Dorothy" series - boo, hiss.

This book centers around a stay-at-home (Cassandra Higgins) mom of four small boys who runs a home child-care business. As with all mothers of small children, she is a bit overwhelmed by all the demands placed upon her and is looking forward to her annual day trip to a collectible convention with her best friend, Margret. When Margret has to cancel their outing, Cassie decides to go alone and take the opportunity to recharge her batteries a bit. Cassie comes across a snow globe containing the figures of a young girl and three dogs which she falls in love with and decides to purchase even though the price is higher than what she would normally pay. The contents of the snow globe sets off a series of events which propel the story along and stir up memories and unresolved dreams for Cassie and her close friends and family.

The novel is definitely a feel-good book with a lot of spirituality and heart. While a very positive and upbeat book, there are lessons within its pages that make it thought provoking as well. Cassie's strained relationship with her mother is a central theme and the reader is allowed to go back and see glimpses of how it got that way. We are also privy to how it evolves and changes with both sides better understanding the other by the time the book concludes. Margret also has her own story interwoven with the struggles of infertility she and her husband face.

While I didn't care for this as much as the "Dearest Dorothy" books, it really is too soon to tell. It's definitely off to a good start and I will be reading the next book Ms. Baumbich writes!

Cassandra Higgins needs some mental time away from her spouse and their four sons. She looks at a snow globe and muses about her childhood while staring at the three dogs and the little girl inside. Cassandra thinks back to beloved Grandpa Wonky and her dysfunctional relationship with her mother Bad Betty Kamrowski; she also recalls her love of helping injured animals that drove her closer to her Grandpa and away from her mom.

Her husband assumes Cassandra is going through some sort of inexplicable female nonsense while her sons wonder what is going on with their mom; her best friends are worried that she is heading into a deep depression. However, none of those concerned about Cassandra's mental health understand the magic of this snow globe. Soon she and her loved ones will learn of dreams as they take a "flurrious" journey accompanied by a remarkable snow globe.

This is an intriguing family drama with a strong cast including the snow globe in which the mom seems to be losing it starting with broiling cookies. As she regains her lost dreams and ergo her equilibrium, her husband, kids, and neighbors become concerned with her mental state; that is until the trek. Whimsical in a sort of Brigadoon way, STRAY AFFECTIONS makes a strong case that no matter how old you are follow your dreams instead of discarding them with regret.

Harriet Klausner

Cassandra Higgins is the mother of four young boys who also runs a daycare. Once a year, she and her best friend make a day of the Collector's Convention, but this year, her friend can't go. Cassie's husband urges her to go alone as she always looks forward to it, and she could use some her time. She does, and almost upon arrival is captivated at once by a snowglobe of a young girl surrounded by three dogs. It brings back memories of her own animals she rescued as a young girl, so she purchases it.

Betty Kamrowski is Cassie's mom. Her husband committed suicide years ago leaving Betty to raise three children alone. She knows Cassie has a gift with animals and it almost broke her heart to send Cassie's dog to the shelter, but they had no money to feed him. Cassie has never forgiven Betty and they still speak to one another, but at a distance.

One evening when Cassie is holding her new snowglobe and praying to God, an oddity occurs. The snow in the globe flurries together and when it stops, the child and dogs are gone. Cassie thinks she must be losing her mind. But what happens afterward is a journey by the Grace of God. Things begin happening with her family that at first make no sense, but then again, God works in mysterious ways.

Stray Affections is a story of second chances. Magical and warm, the characters come to life from the pages. You will rejoice with them and cry for them, and feel love and peacefulness between the pages. Charlene Ann Baumbich has been given a gift from God and she has shared with us something magical. Truly inspirational. I loved it and cannot wait for more in the Snowglobe Connection series!

Stray Affections is a tender-hearted tale guaranteed to appeal to animal lovers. Overflowing with quirky characters, humor, and a touch of mystery, this story enchants and entertains and leaves the reader totally satisfied at the end. A story about faith, hope, second chances, and the power of love, Stray Affections is an absolute must read.

Cassandra Higgins is a young mom of four boys. She still struggles with the suicide of her father when she was a young girl. Her mom, "Bad Betty" and her do not get a long. Not only does she have all of this on her plate but she discovers a snow globe at her annual shopping trip at a collector's convention, that sparks her interest. Does this snow globe hold the answers to all of her problems? But how can it? It is just a snow globe isn't it? Cassandra not only finds answers she did not know she was looking for but also healing.
I enjoyed this book. It has a bit of intrigue in it that is just enough to make you wanting to read just another chapter. I am not sure that I could relate personally to any of the people in the book, but the book helped me think about what might be holding me back from my dreams and desires. Take a leap of faith and go read this book today!

I love looking at snowglobes. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to turn it upside down to watch the snow fall down and imagine what it would be like to be living in the scenario inside the snow globe. This book was like living in snowglobe. It gave a unique perspective to a centralized group of people as we explored what went on in their lives as they all get shaken up by a single event.

I really liked how different perspectives would be shown throughout the book. For example Cassie and her mom would have a fight and the reader would first see the fight through Cassie's eyes which would cause the reader to sympathize with her. Then in the section, we'd immediately see it from her mother's perspective which gives a whole different spin on the situation. The same would happen with her mother and Burt and it was great to see both sides during the awkward phone conversation. By the way, I really liked Burt's character. I felt so bad for him. Who names their kid Burt Burt??? I'm not sure if durves are actually something or if it was created for the story, but they sound delicious and I'm really glad there's a recipe for them included in the back of the book.

The only qualm I had was that I felt a little lost sometimes in the story. It felt like there was a certain direction the story was going and then the plot kinda died out. The overall story that was there was good, I just felt like there was supposed to be something more but it fizzled instead. However I still enjoyed the story. I felt that there was some magic realism weaved throughout the tale that gave it whimsical feel. It was an enjoying read and made me look forward to the season where we get to see snowglobes be put on display again.

I found Stray Affections to be an easy read set in my home state - which for some reason I still get a kick out of reading books centered in Minnesota. Within the first few pages of this book you are introduced to the strain in the relationship between our main character Cassandra (daycare provider and mother of four) and her mother Betty. IE. Bad Betty.

Stray Affections deals with betrayal (Cassandra has memories of when she felt she had let down her family pet, Toby, as a child). This book is centered around a snow globe - and unresolved memories that bubble to the surface as Cassandra learns the power of forgiveness all wrapped into a book that is a bit quirky and fun - ending with an event that not only includes the whole community but with a volunteer effort that made my heart leap!

A small Minnesota town. A mother of four young boys who runs an in-home daycare, who is plagued by guilt. Her best friend, who has been trying, unsuccessfully, to have a baby for years and years. Everything starts when Margret, the friend, cancels on Cassie. They were supposed to attend the annual Collectors' Convention, like they do every year. Cassie goes alone, and is smitten by a snowglobe containing three dogs and a girl with hair the same red as her own.

Stray Affections deals with unfulfilled dreams, infertility, attempting to bridge that gap with friendship, broken relationships, healing.

I read this book because of the Midwestern setting and the dogs. It's amusing but heart-warming at the same time, light but addressing deep issues.

Just as there were several characteristics that drew me to the book, there are several aspects of the book's characters that didn't strike a chord with me. Cassie is convinced she's stupid. Pollack jokes and all that. (Did I forget to mention that Stray Affections is set in a Polish town?) Her love of collectibles -- not to mention the use of the word critters -- is pretty foreign to me, too. These things didn't make the characters seem less real, although they did make it harder for me personally to relate to them.

Whether it was because of where this book found me, my weaknesses for the Midwest and the love of a dog, or neither of these, I found this a charming, fun, sweet read.

I'll be keeping my eyes open for more by Baumbich; I'm particularly interested in reading the first in the Dearest Dorothy series, Dearest Dorothy, Are We There Yet? (Baumbich, Charlene Ann, Dearest Dorothy, Bk. 1.).

I found "Stray Affections" by Charlene Ann Baumbich to be captivating, magical, tender and even healing. This is a story of love and loss, struggle and triumph, and releasing the old and embracing the new. The characters are memorable, the story is gripping, the pace is quick and the ending is very satisfying. The power of love and forgiveness are a threaded throughout, while hope and the excitement of new beginnings come together neatly in the end, like a lovely bow encircling a beautiful package. On a personal note, this story hit on all of my sore spots - rough childhood, estrangement from mother, no father, love of animals and infertility, but it was more like balm to a wound than salt, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.